James Dye, co-owner of the Camberwell Arms, is part of the team reviving The Knave of Clubs in Bethnal Green Road – with the opening date set for February 27.
According to historical records, a pub of that name has stood on the site since at least the early 1800s, with the current Grade II listed building dating back to 1880.
It was a longstanding East London institution, best known for serving the traders at the Club Row Bird Market, but closed as a pub in 1994 and became a restaurant called Les Trois Garcons then another called Dirty Bones.
Now following “significant renovation and restoration”, the four-storey corner pub, which has retained its high ceilings, Victorian bar fittings and glass ads for different spirits, is set to return as a thriving local for the first time in 30 years.
Dye who also co-owns Franks, and Bambi, and Benjy Leibowitz, formerly of JKS, inHouse and The NoMad in NYC will open a separate restaurant One Club Row, on the first floor in March.
Downstairs, the pub menu will be overseen by Culinary Director Patrick Powell (Allegra, Midland Grand Dining Room, and Chiltern Firehouse) alongside Head Chef Attila Gellen, centred around a rotisserie grill and inspired by both French markets and the good old British Sunday lunch.
Expect the likes of rotisserie chicken marinated in chermoula with chicken fat potatoes, venison sausage rolls with spiced ketchup, prawn scotch eggs with chilli jam, and fish cakes with old bay seasoning and lemon aioli.
Weekday lunches will include salads and sandwiches such as the signature Knave grilled cheese, and a Pastrami sandwich with sauerkraut and Russian dressing. On Sundays there will be a classic roast featuring chicken and porchetta from the rotisserie.
The pub is partnering with Allsopp’s Brewery who previously owned The Knave of Clubs in 1934 and who were the original inventors of India Pale Ale as well as Double Diamond.
It will be on tap alongside Guinness, cask ales, cocktails and a rotation of beers from independent London breweries.
Owners say it will “first and foremost be a proper pub, a lively local where guests can come for pints and crisps, or stay for a relaxed lunch or dinner”.
“We are extremely excited to be restoring a beautiful building, with such a remarkable history, back to being a pub for the first time in over 30 years,” said James Dye.
“With so many pubs closing in London we felt it was incredibly important to step in and try to save this remarkable building.”
The Knave of Clubs opens at 25 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 on February 27. www.theknaveofclubs.co.uk
